Physical activity measurement and analysis

Abstract

A method of physical activity measurement and analysis, the method comprising computer-executed steps of: receiving at least one value extracted from measurements of a physical activity of a first user, and detecting a deviation of the physical activity of the first user from at least one previous physical activity using the received at least one value and at least one reference value calculated over at least one value extracted from measurements of the at least one previous physical activity.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of physical activity measurement and analysis, the method comprising computer-executed steps of:
 determining two or more reference values for at least one previous physical activity, wherein the reference values comprise threshold values and/or value ranges, and wherein each of the reference values is mapped to a time within a movement cycle repeated by the previous physical activity; 
 determining an envelope comprising the reference values, wherein the envelope represents a flow of the reference values in a time period of the movement cycle repeated by the previous physical activity; 
 receiving at least one value extracted from measurements of a physical activity of a first user; 
 comparing the at least one value with a respective reference value of the envelope corresponding to the physical activity; 
 detecting a deviation of the physical activity of the first user from the at least one previous physical activity based on the at least one value deviating from the respective reference value; and 
 evaluating the detected deviation using data on at least one previously detected deviation. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the measurements that the received values are extracted from are taken on a body part of the first user during the physical activity of the first user. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the previous physical activity is a physical activity of the first user. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the measurements of the previous physical activity are taken on a body part of the first user during the previous physical activity. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the reference values is calculated over a plurality of values extracted from measurements of physical activities of a plurality of users. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising issuing a command by a computer, based on the detecting of the deviation. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising recognizing a gesture based on the at least one value, and issuing a command by a computer, based on both the detecting of the deviation and the recognizing of the gesture. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising presenting an indication on a condition of the first user, based on the detecting of the deviation. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising updating at least one of the reference values based on the at least one value extracted from the measurements of the physical activity of the first user. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the reference values is calculated per physical activity type. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the reference values is calculated per user. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the reference values is calculated per user and physical activity type. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising updating a database holding data on previously detected deviations, with data based on the detected deviation. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the reference values is mapped to a different time within the movement cycle. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus for physical activity measurement and analysis, comprising:
 at least one computer processor configured to:
 determine two or more reference values for at least one previous physical activity, wherein the reference values comprise threshold values and/or value ranges, and wherein each of the reference values is mapped to a time within a movement cycle repeated by the previous physical activity; and 
 determine an envelope comprising the reference values, wherein the envelope represents a flow of the reference values in a time period of the movement cycle repeated by the previous physical activity; 
 
 a value receiver, implemented on the computer processor, configured to receive at least one value extracted from measurements of a physical activity of a first user; 
 a deviation detector, in communication with the value receiver, configured to:
 compare the at least one value with a respective reference value of the envelope corresponding to the physical activity; and 
 detect a deviation of the physical activity of the first user from at least one previous physical activity based on the at least one value deviating from a respective reference value; and 
 
 a deviation evaluator, in communication with the deviation detector, configured to evaluate the detected deviation using data on at least one previously detected deviation. 
 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the previous physical activity is a physical activity of the first user. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the reference values is calculated over a plurality of values extracted from measurements of physical activities of a plurality of users. 
     
     
       18. A method of physical activity measurement and analysis, the method comprising computer-executed steps of:
 determining two or more reference values for at least one previous physical activity, wherein the reference values comprise threshold values and/or value ranges, and wherein each of the reference values is mapped to a time within a movement cycle repeated by the previous physical activity; 
 determining an envelope comprising the reference values, wherein the envelope represents a flow of the reference values in a time period of the movement cycle repeated by the previous physical activity; 
 receiving at least one value extracted from measurements of a physical activity of a first user; 
 comparing the at least one value with a respective reference value of the envelope corresponding to the physical activity; 
 detecting a deviation of the physical activity of the first user from the at least one previous physical activity based on the at least one value deviating from the respective reference value; 
 recognizing a gesture based on the at least one value; and 
 issuing a command by a computer, based on both the detecting of the deviation and the recognizing of the gesture. 
 
     
     
       19. An apparatus for physical activity measurement and analysis, comprising:
 at least one computer processor configured to:
 determine two or more reference values for at least one previous physical activity, wherein the reference values comprise threshold values and/or value ranges, and wherein each of the reference values is mapped to a time within a movement cycle repeated by the previous physical activity; and 
 determine an envelope comprising the reference values, wherein the envelope represents a flow of the reference values in a time period of the movement cycle repeated by the previous physical activity; 
 
 a value receiver, implemented on the computer processor, configured to receive at least one value extracted from measurements of a physical activity of a first user; and 
 a deviation detector, in communication with the value receiver, configured to:
 compare the at least one value with a respective reference value of the envelope corresponding to the physical activity; and 
 detect a deviation of the physical activity of the first user from at least one previous physical activity based on the at least one value deviating from a respective reference value; and 
 
 a gesture recognizer, in communication with the deviation detector, configured to:
 recognize a gesture based on the at least one value; and 
 issue a command based on both the detection of the deviation and the recognition of the gesture.